"Dreamgirls" conference draws big crowds

posted by (WCBD, Cuthbert Langley, Mar 3 2014)
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2 years ago

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - The first annual Dreamgirls conference is drawing big crowds with the hope of spreading an important message.

"It doesn't matter where you come from. Whether you are from a low income community, whether you are black, white, it doesn't matter. You can live your dream," Roslin Fields said.

This year, South Carolina officially became the state with the highest percentage of crime against women. The Dreamgirls conference was started by Fields, a former middle school teacher who saw just how big of a problem violence and bullying was.

"I taught middle school for 28 years, and during the time that I was teaching, I had many girls that would come to me and go into the guidance counselors office because they were being abused, and they didn't know how to get out," she said.

So, instead of continuing to teach, Fields retired from her position and began her mission of getting the community aware of the signs of domestic violence and bullying.

Saturday, more than 1,4000 people gathered to hear testimonials, stories and speeches from women who dealt with bullying and domestic violence. While the statistic is sticking with South Carolina this year, Fields said she is already seeing a group of girls, motivated not to become the latest victim.

"I already see a generation coming up that will not allow themselves to be abused," she said. "They will not allow themselves to touch on that subject."